LAN Viewer2.3

LAN Viewer is a lightweight software application whose purpose is to help you monitor both remote and local shared folders, and show notifications upon changes.

User interface

The program adopts a Vista-like GUI with multiple dockable panels that offer quick access to the main features, namely monitored folders, scanner, statistics and history, as well as configuration settings.

Set up folders for monitoring them

You are allowed to access your favorites shared folders via the preset categories, namely Documents, Music, Video or Others. You can configure a new folder by providing information about the title and location, applying a mask (e.g. DOC, XLS, TXT), and picking the category.Plus, you can manually check for new items or make the application automatically verify items every 5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes, every hour, day or week. You can edit or delete the directories, and open their content directly from the main window.

Scanner, statistics and history

LAN Viewer gives you the possibility to search for folders and files by a user-defined range of IP addresses and apply file masks. The results may be added to your favorites section. You can also view statistics about the performed tasks (automatic or manual checks, last and next check), and check out a history with all modifications.

Configuration settings

Aside from the preset groups (e.g. Documents, Music, Video), you can create new ones and arrange them in the preferred order, schedule scanning tasks, keep a history with a maximum number of entries, and run the utility at Windows startup and open it minimized. Last but not least, you can set up sound, popup and email notifications.

Bottom line

All things considered, LAN Viewer delivers a basic suite of features for helping you monitor local and remote shared folders. On the downside, it hasn’t benefited from an update for a while, so it may cause compatibility issues on newer operating systems.